KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The UMKC women’s basketball head coach Jacie Hoytannounced on Monday the hiring of Patrick Harrison as the newest member to the Roos coaching staff. Harrison will serve as an assistant coach in Hoyt’s second season at the helm.

“Patrick has a dynamic skill set that will add a tremendous amount of value to our staff as a recruiter, teacher and first-class individual,” commented Hoyt. “He is a coach’s kid, and it is obvious he has been around the game for a very long time due to his ability to understand and teach the game.”

Harrison joins the program with a surplus of experience, entering his 13th season of coaching college basketball. Harrison spent last season at Iowa Western where he helped guide the Reivers to an outstanding 25-5 record and #15 national ranking along with an ICCAC regular season championship.

Prior to the 2017-18 season, Harrison has made stops as an assistant coach at Johnson County Community College (2016-17), North Dakota State (2014-16), and Hastings College (2013-14) along with serving as a graduate assistant at Wichita State (2011-13).

“I am extremely humbled to join the Roo basketball family,” noted Harrison. “The opportunity to be a part of Coach Hoyt’s staff is an honor having followed her throughout her playing career and coaching career.”

In his first year with Johnson County Community College (KS), the team finished 33-3, ranked third in the final regular season national poll, won conference and region titles, and finished national runner up at the 2017 NJCAA DII Tournament. The season also saw four players earn All-Conference and All-Region honors along with a first team NJCAA All-American member.

At North Dakota State, Harrison helped guide the Bison to their highest win total in three seasons (11) and a 7-9 Summit League mark finishing sixth in the Summit League, the highest finish for NDSU women's basketball since the 2011-2012 season, and was tabbed as one of the top Non-BCS assistant coaches in the country by Kallina Scouting. Additionally, three players were named All-Summit League, the most since NDSU joined the league in 2007. Two of the players that Harrison worked with have gone on to successful overseas careers.

“Being that we are both Kansan’s, I have always admired Coach Hoyt’s knowledge and passion for the game and how she connects with people,” said Harrison. “I’m looking forward to continuing her vision for success here at UMKC.”

As the 2018-19 season approaches for UMKC, Harrison will look to help the team build on what was an overly promising first season for Coach Hoyt. The Roos finished in fifth place with a 7-7 record in Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play, the program’s best conference record since the 2011-12 season and tied for the best finish in the league since joining the WAC. The team ended the year ranked second in scoring offense, assists and three-point field goals made along with leading the conference in steals.

“Patrick has a special ability to connect with recruits and current players,” noted Hoyt. “I am thrilled to add his energy and passion to our program.”